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4 Natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. Medications can help manage symptoms, and some people also benefit from natural remedies.

 

 

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that wears away the cushioning between the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

 

Another common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and other parts of the body, causing uncontrolled inflammation.

Arthritis of any type can cause pain and result in lasting damage to the joints. In this article, we outline some of the most effective home remedies for slowing disease progression and treating the symptoms of arthritis.

 

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1. Aquatic exercises

Senior man in swimming pool with goggles for aquatic exercises, as home remedy for arthritis pain relief

Aquatic exercises can be beneficial for people with arthritis. Water provides resistance, which helps increase exercise intensity.

At the same time, the buoyancy that the water provides helps support body weight, relieving pressure on the joints.

A 2015 scientific review found that older adults with osteoarthritis who participated in an aquatic exercise program experienced the following benefits:

  • reduced body fat
  • improved coordination
  • improved range of motion
  • improved mood and quality of life

The participants also experienced a reduction in arthritis pain, although this was often short-term.

For ongoing pain relief, the researchers support current recommendations to perform 40–60 minutes of aquatic exercise three times a week.

 

 

2. Weight loss

According to the Arthritis Foundation, each pound (lb) of body weight equates to 3 lb of added stress on the knees and 6 lb of added pressure on the hip joints.

This increased pressure causes the cartilage between the joints to break down more quickly, worsening osteoarthritis.

Losing weight can ease pressure on the joints, reducing pain and stiffness.

 

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3. Yoga

Iyengar yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on correct anatomical alignment and uses props to support the body and relieve tension and inflammation.

A 2017 study trusted Source investigated the effectiveness of a 6-week Iyengar yoga program for young women with RA.

Researchers divided the 26 participants into two groups: 11 participated in two 1.5-hour yoga classes for 6 weeks, while the remaining 15 did not take part in any yoga classes.

In comparison with the control group, the participants who did yoga reported significant improvements in health, mood, quality of life, and the ability to cope with chronic pain.

 

4. Hot and cold therapy

Heat and cold treatments are two different but effective methods for reducing arthritis pain.

Heat therapy boosts circulation and can soothe stiff joints and aching muscles, while cold therapy restricts blood vessels, which slows circulation, reduces swelling, and numbs the pain.

People can try alternating heat and cold, but it is essential to monitor the skin carefully for damage from these treatments and discontinue their use if an injury occurs.

Heat treatments include:

  • starting the day with a warm bath or shower to relieve stiffness
  • applying warm paraffin wax to aching joints
  • placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on aching joints

People should limit cold treatments to 20 minutes at a time. These treatments include:

  • wrapping a bag of ice in a towel and applying it to painful areas
  • submerging the affected joint in ice water
  • using a cold pack.

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Natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis

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